Getting to Know Habitat for Humanity South Georgian Bay

Habitat brings communities together to help families build strength, stability and independence through affordable homeownership. At Habitat, we believe everyone has the right to a safe and decent place to live, and that it benefits all of society when they do. That’s why Habitat looks beyond the build, to how decent housing transforms futures, strengthens communities and fosters resiliency and stability that can transcend generations.

Habitat for Humanity South Georgian Bay is a non-profit housing organization that works in partnership with the community and local low-income families to build affordable homes. Families selected for the program have already done a lot of things right, but no matter how hard they work, or how much they save, they are still faced with the reality of never being able to afford their own home. The Habitat model provides families with an affordable mortgage, much needed stability, helps them build assets, reduces their dependence on social services. Habitat helps folks who are paying far too high a percentage of their income towards rent and are still living in substandard accommodation. Covid has only amplified the need, causing house prices to skyrocket and affordable rentals to become rare. Local families are working long hours to keep a roof over their family’s head with very little money left over for things beyond necessities.

To make a Habitat build possible, Habitat relies on many elements:

Donations are always welcome – all funds received go directly into the build program, when families buy the home, they pay an affordable mortgage and those funds are re-invested into future builds. Donations of build materials and services help us keep build costs low to enable Habitat to build more homes for more families. They’re also able to receive donations of land for build projects – if you’ve got vacant land suitable for building, they’d love to speak to you!

Habitat ReStores are great for communities and build the story of home. They provide a convenient place to donate your quality new and used household items. There is power in repurposing excess building materials, furniture, kitchens, unwanted store inventory. When materials are donated, the ReStore resells these goods, helping the community with low cost options for their home improvement projects. We also accept scrap metal and electronic waste. When you support Habitat ReStore, the proceeds help build Habitat homes for families in need.

Habitat ReStore is also a socially and environmentally conscious shopping experience. Find new and gently used household, furniture, and materials for your next project or renovation and the Habitat ReStore at budget friendly prices (you never know what treasure you might discover). Habitat ReStore diverts waste by accepting, repurposing and reselling quality new and used household items and building materials. We all have the power to help build a prosperous, healthy future for our planet.

Habitat ReStore deconstruction program is free and provides non-structural services to help you donate items from your kitchen or home remodel project to the ReStore. ReStore gently removes your appliances, fixtures, cabinets and more and transports them to the ReStore for sale. (They’re also happy to work along with your contractor or kitchen remodel company to receive the donation.) You save time and energy and receive a tax receipt for your donation!

Volunteers are the backbone of Habitat, and are a great place to make new friends, in our ReStore, on our construction site, in our office, on our fundraising team/events, on our construction committee. Habitat is always on the lookout for folks who would be a good fit on their board of directors or family selection & mentoring committee (both by application process).

Habitat builds more than houses, we build stronger communities, healthier families and a stronger economy through homeownership. Affordable homeownership is the key that is not only the keys to a new home, it unlocks the door for local low income families to a new life with endless possibilities.

For more information: www.habitatgeorgianbay.ca joy@habitatgeorgianbay.ca

Habitat for Humanity: 705-446-9542

ReStore: 705-446-9740

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